State Capitol News

11:31 pm

Sun March 30, 2008

Arizona struggling to create guest worker program

Phoenix, AZ – Efforts to enact the first-ever state-run guest worker program have hit a snag over the question of which industries shouldbenefit. Arizona Public Radio's Howard Fischer explains.

The proposal by Sen. Marsha Arzberger and Rep. Bill Konopnickiwould have the state set up a system where businesses that claimthey can't get enough legal workers could petition to bring somein on a temporary basis from Mexico. There appears to be someconsensus foreign labor is needed. But the question is where.Rep. Russell Pearce said he wants a program limited toagrictulture.

(I can't support Americans being laid off, construction industry,housing structure in half, other areas, I just can't supportimporting workers when we're having Americans laid off.)

He said in a free market economy no company would have troublefinding workers if it pays -- quote -- the right wages. Arzbergersaid that hasn't been the case.

(I'm talking about the well-paid workers who have skills, orthey're willing to train and learn skills that these industriesneed very badly. I'm not talking about the fast food people. Theycan do whatever they can do. That's not the people I'm concernedabout. But that steel fabrication business pays these workers $50an hour and can't get them.)

Even if Arzberger and Pearce can reach accord, that doesn't solvethe problem. Any plan to allow foreign nationals to come toArizona to work would need federal approval that may or may notcome. For Arizona Public Radio this is Howard Fischer.